Pakistan High Commission in Ottawa, along with the Pakistani consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, as well as the Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo, Egypt, commemorated Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir to express unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The day marked the sixth anniversary of India’s unilateral and unlawful revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A on August 5, 2019, which stripped the disputed region of its special constitutional status a move that blatantly violates UN Security Council resolutions and international law.
In Ottawa, a solemn ceremony was held where special messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out. High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem, while addressing the event, stated that what India terms as “integration” is, in fact, an illegal annexation attempt through force. He emphasized that Pakistan immediately rejected this unconstitutional move.
The High Commissioner called on the United Nations, the international community, human rights organizations, and global media to take serious notice of ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and support the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
A documentary highlighting Indian atrocities and human rights abuses in Kashmir was also screened during the event.
Meanwhile, a special seminar was organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo, Egypt, to mark the occasion. Ambassador Aamer Shouket stressed the urgent need to resolve the longstanding issues of Kashmir and Palestine, stating that India and Israel continue to deny basic rights to the people of these regions.
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of Pakistan and Egypt. Special messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister were also shared with the attendees.
The seminar witnessed participation from prominent Egyptian journalists, academics, civil society representatives, Pakistani community members, students, and intellectuals. A documentary film exposing Indian state oppression in Kashmir was also presented.
